Holly Black Quotes

People never know how strong is their lust for being cheated.

The only way you can be a mark is if you want something for nothing. If you're greedy, you're set up.

Every swindle is driven by a desire for easy money; it's the one thing the swindler and the swindled have in common.

One who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived.

Lust and greed are more gullible than innocence.

And I think it's because good cons are all based on the victim's need, and the successful con artist is the one, I guess, who can exploit that. I remember reading something about this, that one of the great traits of confidence tricksters is the level that they flatter their victim.

The wisest hustler can suddenly fall for the worst tramp and lose all of his money on her. The hustler is aware of his own weaknesses and openings to con. This awareness is his edge.

It's true that people will take advantage of you in Nigeria, but this happens everywhere in the world.

That's the power of the good con artist: the ability to identify your deepest need and exploit it. It's not about honesty or greed; we are all suckers for belief.

More are taken in by hope than by cunning.

So far I’m not seeing a lot of difference between me and a carnival con-man.

We’re flimflam artists. But remember, sonny, you can’t con people unless they’re greedy to begin with. W. C. Fields had it right. You can’t cheat an honest man.

Just like my Uncle Charlie used to say, just before he sprung the trap: He said, "You can't cheat and honest man! Never give a sucker an even break or smarten up a chump!

When you are rich, people try to take advantage of you.

We can all be conned but at what point do we realize that we're being conned and to what point do we allow ourselves to be conned?

My opinion is that he's a swindler and you're a sucker.

I like being innocent, but know now when I am being taken for a ride.

When success comes, people can try to trick you or take advantage of you.

My family has something of a special relationship with confidence tricks: my grandfather was a professional swindler.

It's hard finding people you trust or who aren't going to take your money. Everyone wants to get a piece of whatever you're doing. It's a nightmare.

I've always loved movies about con men. I think con men are as American as apple pie.

This is the ultimate con game - I'm having fun and people pay me to do it.

Men are so simple and yield so readily to the desires of the moment that he who will trick will always find another who will suffer to be tricked.

The best, very best scammers will always ask for your advice. This is their favorite technique. It makes them vulnerable. It flatters your ego.

There are more fools than knaves in the world, else the knaves would not have enough to live upon.